Chapter 13 (continued)
In a whirlwind of masks
- Good morning, sir. Good morning, sir. What happened? - I asked.
- What happened?! - A lady of immense size screamed - the head of the first family, apparently. - Nothing special. We're just not on your stupid lists.
- Do you know who we are?" her husband repeated, dry as a mushroom. - I am Lord Lucius Brutus. His Majesty's father and I were still fighting under the same sword.
- And what is your name? - I asked the other couple how much younger they were and how much quieter they were.
- Lord Ivaner Carnival and his wife," he replied. - I would be grateful if the misunderstanding could be resolved as soon as possible. Here are our invitations.
It means that the Bratists do not have an invitation. I left a couple of servants with my guests, and I hurried to the manager myself. He waited for us in a small room and apparently watched us cope.
- There were guests who were not on the list. Lord Bratius and Lord Carnival and their spouses. Only Carnivals have an invitation. Please, specify if there is a mistake in your lists," I asked.
- One minute. - The manager pulled out a large stack and began to browse. - Brosius... Carnival... You're right, my lord, Carnivals is among the guests, it's an unfortunate mistake. But Bratiusov is not.
And he stared at me with his beady eyes. I had already thought to tell him all about such mistakes, but suddenly I realized that it could be a part of the test. So I turned around and went away. I found Elias on the way.
- The manager surprised us," he told Cavernel the "good" news. - We urgently need another room for two.
- But... how fast? - It seems that Elias was confused.
- The sooner the better. Try to do your best!
And I went to solve the problem. Fortunately, the scandal was a little quiet, and both couples were waiting patiently for me.
- Lord Carnival," turned to the patiently waiting man, "there was an unfortunate misunderstanding, and the room was already being prepared for you. Lord and Lady Bratius, you are not on the list.
- What?! - The lady went on a squeal. - What are you...
- Guards!
A lightning bolt of lightning. I watched Bratiusov out of the gate with badly concealed pleasure. A few minutes later, a servant appeared and reported that the room for Carnivals was ready. Well done, Elias!
When a bird appeared in front of the last name on the list, I dragged back to the palace, feeling as if I had been hit by a loaded cart.
- Is that all? - Elias came up from somewhere on the side.
- Yes. The next thing is not our task.
I stretched out, stretching out my swollen shoulders.
- Glory to the light," Kavernel muttered. - I thought I would lose my mind.
- The same story. I need to sleep. I don't care about lunch.
Apparently, Elias agreed with me because as soon as we got to the rooms, I fell into the sunshine of the living room. However, I couldn't dive into the arms of my sleep right away. There was an envelope on the table. I pulled out a sheet of paper and read it with badly listening fingers:
Lord Ayordan, the results of the test will be known tomorrow morning, and today rest and enjoy the masquerade. A mask and suit are waiting for you in the wardrobe.
Are you kidding me? After such a morning - also to dance? But not to appear at the masquerade means to show disrespect to His Majesty. It won't work... And then, Princess Eliza will be there. What does it have to do with Eliza? Undoubtedly, she is a nice girl. But that's all. That's all...
Sleep, strange as it may seem, didn't go. I was lying there staring at the ceiling. What was the strange test? What was the trick again? And who changed the signs on the doors? This threatens Elias with danger. Or not? We've decided everything, haven't we? We couldn't hide from the whirlpool of thoughts. And I didn't even miss lunch. I was glad that all the lords flaunted their lean faces. Especially Laherney, who barely touched the food. Apparently, the royal dinner wasn't easy for him. Elias did not come again. That's probably who is definitely asleep. Lucky...
- How'd you do, Ayordan? - asked Liverani about it. Apparently, this was the second time he had said the question.
- I think, successfully. - I decided to disappoint him. - There were no complaints. And you? Is the illumination ready?
- It is just being checked.
- Without you?
Liverani shook his shoulders. Obviously, he didn't think it was necessary to take care of such trifles as personal control. Well, it was his business.
- And where is Cavern? - Yarden asked. - Couldn't stand the onslaught?
- He's resting," I answered. - Elias coped with his part of the training. Laernie, what's wrong? Didn't any of the guests enjoy their lunch?
- How would I know? - Kyrian murmured. - Let him go into darkness.
- What, it turned out to be not so easy? - Listias smiled quite a bit. - Well, my friend, the way to the throne is not easy. And tonight we will finally see her Highness again. Although I will not say that it will be a pleasant meeting, I am sure the king will listen to his beloved daughter.
- Undoubtedly," Asteris agreed. - But the princess seemed nice to me. Yes, she tried to seem unapproachable, but she was not very successful. I think we got along. So all the dancing was mine.
- Let's see! - Yarden intervened. - I bet fifty gold pieces that most of Eliza's dances will be dancing with me.
- Accepted! - I got Asteris, reaching out to the enemy. - Lords, be witnesses.
I did not want to be a witness. But I'd like to know which of the lords Elise liked the most. Could it be Elias? They're kind of friends, aren't they? Or one of these two? Why does it bother me at all? I guess it's fatigue. Alas, the masquerade cannot be canceled. So right after lunch, I went back to my room and tried on the costume. How I was sewn on. A dark purple camisole, black pants, a light purple shirt with an embroidered gate. And a purple mask decorated with silver threads. Looks like who's who, only the one who picked up the costumes will know.
Well, the masquerade is so masqueraded. Although day after day we are here only doing that we practice in the art of wearing masks of aristocrats, but in fact, we are rotten: some more, some less. It was a waste of the king to marry his daughter so early. Oh, how in vain.